A very good example of a Chowke Mask dating to around the mid 1900's.The The Chowke are a large tribe spread over Southern Africa, Angola and Zambia. They are known for their prolific production of sculptures, which included both court art and masks. The Masks usually represented spirits and can be classified into three categories: chief masks, initiation masks and dance mask – of which the most famous are the Chihongo (male) and Mwana Pwo (female) ancestor figures. The piece is a Mwana Pwo mask. It shows a large forehead with an elongated face and thin nose – with a cross scarification motive on the forehead and tears motives on the cheeks. The Mask has a woven wicker type basket at back of the head with twisted rope hair plaits attached.The mask measures approx 12" x 9".